Private Viewing For Whitney Houston Held In Newark

By: Dean Meminger

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Ahead of the Saturday funeral of pop star Whitney Houston, some of her family and close friends paid their respects at the singer's wake in Newark, N.J. on Friday. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.

Friday night, fans continued to gather at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, N.J. to pay their respects to the late pop star Whitney Houston.

Although they were not allowed inside to view her body, it was enough for many to sign a memorial book left outside by the funeral home, and to leave flowers and posters throughout the day.

Whitney Houston's Funeral

NY1 will begin its live coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral at noon Saturday.

"She's so talented. Her star always shines so bright and I just had to come pay my respects," said one mourner.

"Since I was in Africa, I was always thinking about her, and now she is gone," said another.

"I just had to come and pay my respects to a hometown girl," said a third. "I remember when she came out in the '80s. I was in high school and she just touched my heart. She's so talented."

One woman outside the funeral home said she met Houston when the singer was only nine years old.

"Man, when that child opened up her mouth, I mean, it just like rocked the whole place, with her being so young. I'm going to miss her," she said.

Inside the funeral home, there was a private wake. With a police escort, family and close friends arrived.

Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, and mother rode in the front limo.

Music mogul Clive Davis arrived a short time later, followed by Houston's cousin, music legend Dionne Warwick.

Houston's funeral will be held on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, which her family has attended for decades.

Several celebrities and singers are expected to attend the invitation-only ceremony, including Houston's godmother, Aretha Franklin.

Many fans said despite Houston's very public battle with drugs, now is not the time to discuss that.

"I just want everyone to remember the message that was in her music. Not all of the turbulence going on in her life, but just the message in her music. That is what is going to live on forever," said a fan.

Police in Newark urged fans to stay away from the church where Whitney Houston's funeral will be held.

But more than likely as they did at the wake, fans will line the streets by the church, trying to get a glimpse of the superstar's final farewell.